Can you believe what happened tonight at "A Church Without Walls"?

Greetings Friends:

Thanks for checking in again.  I'm eager to share with you what God did tonight at "A Church Without Walls".  I'm astonished at how God is growing my faith through all of this.  Tonight was unbelievable and I'm in awe of the power of God, once again.  Before I share, I want to say "thank you" to the many people who've prayed for this ministry this week.  I received several personal messages from folks who have sought the Lord this week and encouraged me in many ways.  God helped me to overcome my fear tonight and gave me the authority in the Spirit, even as I was in the darkest part of Downtown Norfolk.

Well, many of you know that I have been praying for several weeks that God would provide me with someone who is on the street to help me minister to the homeless.  I believe he has specifically called me to go down there alone.  I asked God for a believer who lived among the homeless and could minister to them at all times.  God answered my prayer tonight, with a young man named Andre.  Here's the story:

I went downtown earlier than normal, tonight.  Laura encouraged me to go earlier this week, as I was going into a really bad area.  I agreed and left around 4:45 this evening.  I arrived to W. 19th street around 5 pm and parked at a fitness center about 1/4 of a mile from where the homeless were.  I have been working out lately and drinking a lot of water and had to go to the bathroom.  When I got out of my car, I saw a Wendy's across the street, so I decided to go to the bathroom before I headed to the Hope Center.  I walked in Wendy's and went down the little alley to the Men's Room.  I got to the door and a little old lady said, "Someone is in there sir."  I said, "Oh, ok...thank you, ma'm."  I turned around and lingered back out to the lobby of Wendy's to wait for them to come out.  Out of the blue, a man sitting at a table said, "So, are you a preacher or something?"  I noticed he was looking at my bible in my hand and I said, "Aren't we all supposed to be preachers, sir?"  God commanded us to go into all the earth and preach the gospel, right?  He smiled at me and said, "I guess you're, right."  I said, "But if you're asking if I'm a paid preacher...no, I'm not."  God has given me a heart of compassion for the homeless and I came down here tonight to share the gospel with those who are in need."  I sat down at his table and introduced myself to him.  His name was Andre.  I noticed a plastic bag on the table.  I looked at it and noticed that it had a "Our Daily Bread" devotional in it.  I asked Andre if he was a Christian to which he responded, "Yes sir, I am."  I asked him what his story was and he informed me that he had just gotten out of prison two weeks ago.  He accepted Jesus in prison several months ago.  He told me that he was homeless and he really needed a job.  However, with his felony and not having transportation, a place to live, showers, etc he was having a really hard time.  I said, "have you thought about going to the homeless shelter down the street."  He said, "Yeah, but they only let you stay for 2 weeks and my time is up."  He also said, "2 weeks is just not enough time, I'm trying to do the right thing, but it's hard out here on the street with all the negativity."  He said that there was a lot of prostitution, drug use, people fighting, etc.  I talked to him for a little while longer and asked him for a favor.  He looked a little weird when I asked him for a favor, I must admit.  I said, "Andre, I've been praying that God would provide a man that lived in the streets to help me to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to the homeless."  I said, God has given me a heart of compassion, but I have no experience working with the homeless and I'm not sure how to effectively serve them.  I asked Andre if he would go with me and take me to the homeless.  He agreed. 

We left Wendy's and headed to the Hope Center.  There were several people out on the street, again.  Most of them were homeless.  Andre introduced me to 3 other guys, Alonzo, who went by "A", and two others.  I told them why I was there and how God had given me a heart of compassion for them.  I shared the gospel with each of them corporately and told them about God's love and his desire to have a relationship with each of us.  I feel like the Lord gave me the message, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you."  It didn't hit me at first as to why God gave me that, but later, I understood.  Andre and I talked to the guys for about 30-40 minutes and we turned and walked back up towards Wendy's.  I found it odd that Andre did not ask me for any money the whole time I was with him.  I had $10 on me, as that was all I brought - purposely - as I was prepared to get beat up and robbed tonight, when I went. :)  I didn't think it was wise to bring my wallet or even my cell phone.  However, I had the $10 in my pocket, so I said, "Andre, I'm hesitant to do this, but I'm going to give you the $10 I had to pay for parking down here tonight.  I didn't need to pay for parking, so I want to give it to you.  However, I can't come down here each weekend and hand out money, as I believe God has called me to give you his word not money.  I know the temptation is to desire, money, shelter, food, clothing, etc, but I believe God wants you to desire him above these things."  I gave him the $10, prayed for him and he turned and went back into Wendy's to get something to eat. 

Here's the most awesome thing about tonight: 

Read closely...As I was walking back to my car I came across a lady named Yvonne.  I felt compelled to share the gospel with her.  I said, "Ma'm, excuse me....Have you ever heard the gospel of Jesus Christ?"  She said, "Yes, I have."  I said, "Do you know that you are a daughter of the living God?"  She said, "I never thought of it, but yeah, I guess I am."  She then looked at me and said, "Sir, would you pray for my son Terrance?"  I said, "I'd love to...what's the matter with Terrance?"  She said, "he is very ill and I'm afraid I'm going to lose him."  I said, "Well, let's pray right now and plead the stripes and blood of Jesus over that infirmity.  Do you know that Jesus was bruised for our iniquity?"  I laid hands on her and began to pray.  I felt God's annointing come over me and I began to denounce sickness and evil off of her whole family.  When we were done, I shook her hand and blessed her.  She said, "Sir, can you give me $1 for a drink?"  I said, "Yvonne, I promise you I don't have a dollar or I would, but I know someone who does.  I said, "I want you to go into that Wendy's and look for a man named Andre...He's a black gentleman wearing a green winter hat.  I want you to tell him this "God wants to know if you will seek him first and give back 10% of what he gave you tonight" and ask him to give you a dollar. I was blown away at what just came out of my mouth.  I watched Yvonne go into the Wendy's...I wonder if Andre was faithful...

God is teaching me so much about himself through "A Church Without Walls".  He's unbelievably amazing when we don't put him in a box.  Going back next Saturday to see what God will do.  I gave Andre my phone #.  I hope he calls me this week as God has given me so much revalation about him on the way home and even now after talking to Laura.  My mind is racing with thoughts of God's faithfulness...

Our faith has made us well,

Jimmy